Ray Davies - Talks John Lennon & more

The Kinks' Ray Davies talks about John Lennon and more in this 1996 interview, recorded in Toronto Canada 1996. VHS T--120 NTSC, Sp, mono audio. Tape archive 1029. www.raydavies.info
#thekinks #raydavis #kinks

[@ScottishTeeVee]

1 of over 2000 music videos on this channel, all taken from my videotape collection, Donate a little to help keep this channel going via Go Fund Me at gofund.me/f91033fc

[@tom-ht3ju]

that's some videotape collection, mate

[@ScottishTeeVee]

Thank you@@tom-ht3ju

[@liambrammall1764]

God bless you pirate sir

[@pgroove163]

I don't care if he was a freaking bastard....do not care... Only interested in the music

[@whitneyevans4523]

Very informative & honest!

[@MrMedtech1437]

Sent him an email a few years back to thank him for his songs. And shockingly, he wrote me back. I still read it from time to time. Thank You Ray.

[@ScottishTeeVee]

Its nice when someone like that actually takes the time to rely. Thanks for commenting.

[@noraobregon13]

What's his email?

[@Daffy310]

May I please ask what is his email address?

[@discernment8963]

I'm curious also.

[@JeffreyOakarPhotos]

I'm curious what his reply was. It connects 100% with the context of this video when he tells the journalist that the song is the listener's after they take it in. Very curious what his reply was. And I'm not prying...you can paraphrase but I'm sure it would be an inspiration to his other fans.

[@fernandogarajalde4066]

Ray will be remembered as the introspective songwriter who never fails to offer a smile to everyone. 😇

[@frlango6082]

And what a smile!

[@bloppysloppy4057]

Ray and Dave Davies compliment each other so well musically. Ray is the genius songwriter but Dave really makes those songs come alive and always knows just the right thing to play. I can't imagine life without those classic Kinks songs.

[@luismarioguerrerosanchez4747]

And while not as prolific as Ray, Dave wrote some great songs: Death of a Clown, Susannah’s Still Alive, Strangers, Livin’ on a Thin Line.

[@dgrichmondbc]

Arguably one of the most eloquent and articulate songwriters of all time.

[@lastrada52]

Ray Davies of The Kinks -- one of the most intelligent rock singer-songwriters. creative, original & poignant. An interesting interview. He can actually talk & convey messages, stories & not come off as a jerk like so many do. I like him...always did. Wrote terrific songs & I only wished he co-wrote one song with either John Lennon, Paul McCartney, or even Brian Wilson -- because Ray had that kind of juice. (He still does in 2021).

[@raulmacias1311]

Ray is the coolest! I read somewhere that The Kinks opened for The Beatles in the early days. John Lennon just stood there backstage just watching The Kinks in action. I'm sure he was intrigued. I always thought that The Kinks were the coolest visually. There was an element of danger watching Ray, Dave, Pete and Mick. I would say The Kinks possessed elements of both The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. I sometimes wonder that if The Kinks hadn't been banned from performing in the U.S., in what direction Ray would have steered the band. By the way, I absolutely dig "Too Much On My Mind" and "Fancy"from the "Face To Face" album. Those two tracks rarely get mentioned. Blessings To You Ray!

[@abebrown1563]

@@raulmacias1311 I like "Days" and "Victoria." Amongst endless others.

[@sallygomez8799]

Agreed

[@leahflower9924]

I don't know if stepping stone came out first but I'm not like everybody else sounds like a punk song to me

[@lastrada52]

@@leahflower9924 - I agree. "I'm Not Like Everybody Else," was a flipside to "Sunny Afternoon," in 1966.

[@davidpetersen1]

So very wise and intuitive about his brother in the teen years. About the lead guitar playing, "I didn't want to compete with him. He had the energy." To know this at 18 and in that situation where egos are very raw, speaks volumes about his maturity and character.

[@chrisc1257]

Yeah, hindsight is well, you know.

[@shaunmcgee4204]

Ray Davies is the real deal. A bone fide genius. He’s an incredibly lovely human being too. ✌🏻💜

[@Anthony-hu3rj]

Genius?

[@MrThedonhead]

He’s definitely the best of the second best group of English songwriters. Not quite there with Lennon/McCartney Jagger/Richards but there with Townsend. Could of been better if he let his brother write more then he wouldn’t have so much filler. But still wrote 4/5 classic songs.

[@kentduryea5072]

I'll tell you what... this guy is far more interesting than the "prick" that was mentioned. I could listen to Ray Davies all day long on a Sunny Afternoon. Very well spoken and down to Earth. Love the fact he never smoked or took drugs. Most of Lennon's interviews were bombastic, self righteous with that woman always sitting next to him adding her screeching bullshit. I'd say Tom Snyder made Lennon look good in 1975 on the Tomorrow show. He was mild mannered and engaging the whole hour long. Not many interviews like that I know of. Only had his lawyer with him. Of course, Lennon did drugs. I think when I heard of his LSD trips along with the other Beatles that's when I started being objective about their music and lifestyles, no longer a fan (short for fanatic). If anyone can please let Ray Davies know he's a cherished gift to music and the way it moves us. Thanks for all you've given the world, Ray... the memories especially. Love ya, man.

[@shaunmcgee4204]

@@Anthony-hu3rj I think so, definitely. Ray Davies redefined songwriting, even his books come from a totally original angle. And he also wrote Waterloo Sunset. I rest my case.

[@shaunmcgee4204]

@@MrThedonhead I’d argue that Ray Davies was a much better songsmith than the Jagger & Richards partnership. I’ve also never bought onto the Beatles versus the Rolling Stones thing, primarily because, for much of those early years, the Stones seemed to be aping what the Beatles had released 6 months earlier. The same can’t be said for the Kinks. That’s why I think the real competition for the Beatles in the U.K. came from Ray and the boys. I’d have loved to be a fly on the wall when the Beatles first heard, “You Really Got Me”, “Sunny Afternoon”, “Waterloo Sunset”, “Autumn Almanac”, or “Dead End Street”.

[@bobkirkendale242]

I really like his explanation of John Lennon living his art. That's a great analogy of why John was so special.

[@Fantumh]

It is. I was thinking of that the other day because it now seems fashionable from a lot of people to bash Lennon, and besides not understanding why someone is that intent on hating someone who died 40 years ago, I can only think it's because Lennon put himself out there so much, the good and the bad. Most of us feel like we have a much better grasp of who John was in his private life than Paul. Paul's always kept a certain part of his life private. For John it feels easier to be judgmental. Ultimately I think as an artist John was a genius and that's the thing I care most about. He knew he wasn't perfect, but none of us are.

[@bobkirkendale242]

@@Fantumh , indeed, you put it perfectly. In my opinion, John was one of the most truthful artists I've ever seen. And because he spoke his truth, many people were and are bothered by it. But what are we doing if not living an authentic and truthful life? Showing all sides, good and bad. He was a rare soul that influenced the world in a profound way.

[@raulmacias1311]

@@Fantumh I love Ray, but John Lennon did not live his art! I was a very loyal Beatles fan until he got involved with Yoko Ono. He then became an acerbic jerk criticizing everyone and everything! The change was quite evident in '68 when Yoko got into his psyche! When The Beatles returned from India, with their wives, in March,1968, they filmed a Video of "All Together Now" for inclusion in the Yellow Submarine movie. John looked great. His hair was longer and began to part it in the middle. That was the very last time The Beatles truly enjoyed being Beatles! John was very funny and quite charming on that video. On May14,1968 John and Paul flew to New York to announce the formation of The Beatles' Apple Corps. Here was the new John Lennon! He was skinny and an acerbic jerk with the press chomping on his gum in an antagonistic disgusting manner! It is well known that John became a Heroin Addict in '68 and he looks like one and acts like one! He was behaving like, he sang in his song " I need a fix 'cause I'm goin' down"! Here's the apostle of "All You Need Is Love" acting like a complete "Prick" with the press who are simply doing there job! It is now known that Ono was flooding Lennon with letters whilst he was in India. Five days later, on May 19,1968, Lennon consummated their depraved relationship by committing adultery with Ono in his wife's home and in her bed. Cynthia Powell discovered the two the next day, Ono wearing her bathrobe! Lennon incredibly filed for divorce against Cynthia accusing her of committing adultery! John Lennon was never the same always carting his cretinous mother Yoko around engaging in embarrassing exploits with his mum Yoko -"Two Virgins" nude album cover, while he was still married to Cynthia!, "Bed Ins" for peace etc... I understand she used to accompany him to the bathroom! This topic should be studied and written about to expose the fraud that John Winston ONO Lennon truly was!

[@Fantumh]

@@raulmacias1311 Quoting myself: "I was thinking of that the other day because it now seems fashionable from a lot of people to bash Lennon, and besides not understanding why someone is that intent on hating someone who died 40 years ago..." I also didn't say he lived his art, I said he put himself out there, good and bad. All that energy you put into your little hate spiel could be used for more productive and satisfying pursuits. Or you can continue acting like the jerk you accuse Lennon of being. It's up to you. I don't care.

[@raulmacias1311]

@@Fantumh If you don't care, then why are you wasting your precious time commenting pal? As John Lennon, the apostle of love, once said - "More I cannot say, what more can I say?" If you cannot see what an arrogant and hypocritical fraud John Lennon was, especially after he threw his wife and son under the bus for Ono, I feel sorry for you because you're a John Lennon sycophant!

[@raulmacias1311]

We love you Raymond Douglas Davies! We appreciate your prolific songwriting and your wonderful singing voice! You're the coolest!

[@hni7458]

"When I've written a song it isn't mine any more - it's yours." Such a lovely attitude; I've always liked RD and this strengthens my feelings.

[@jamesrockwood9022]

John Lennon felt the same and hesitated to sue for copyright infringement. Once a song was released, he said, it belonged to the world.

[@bernardfinch7046]

The magic that is Ray Davies his song writing is on another level a wonderful man!

[@thekingsservant1793]

One of the greatest interviews I've ever seen...because now I know....Ray Davies is a genius. He's so sharp, and navigates this interview into his own total control of all of it. He's so masterful, and so intelligent and truly insightful in his comments... so lucid. Brilliant really. I rarely see an interview where I wish it had gone on so much longer. It's so true what he said....because I don't really think about Ray Davies (except for his crazy smile) but I remember "Lola" and "Come Dancing" and a few others.....the songs.....but this interview really shows how bright this guy (Ray) is, and how eloquent. A great way to spend 5 minutes.

[@ScottishTeeVee]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to leave a good comment

[@mayajagger6749]

Spot on. That interviewer had some very leading questions but he won’t be lead!

[@raulmacias1311]

"Set Me Free" is my all-time favorite Kinks song! I could play it repeatedly and never tire of it! It takes me back to my youth in '65! I turned 8 years old that year. The Beatles were blessed to have three gifted writers while Ray wrote the bulk of The Kinks' compositions. What a gifted and prolific writer is Ray Davies!

[@NoosaHeads]

One of the most forthright, articulate and sentient popular musicians I've ever heard speak.

[@Themanwhocameback2]

Yes. I was not expecting to be so impressed. He is a unique man.

[@williamweiss3620]

Ray Davies is by far the most beautiful person that I never met. I played in a garage band for a long time I'm 68 now and always dreamed of being the type of song writer as Mr Davies. God bless you all. I love you all Bill.

[@raulmacias1311]

Quote by RAY DAVIES ~ "People don't really remember me much, they just remember the songs." What a self effacing, wonderful, talented and gifted man is Raymond Douglas Davies. Man, I remember you! You're the coolest!

[@fortunazee]

I remember you Ray I’ve loved you since I first heard “you really got me” on the radio in 1964.

[@steveosullivan5262]

What a gift Ray is. I loved the kinks from my earliest days. What a band and his songs really hit home. I am old now and will be forever thankful for the music I grew old with. The youth of today would be wise to pick up a pen and a guitar...write down what they are feeling. Then put it to music....I know its hard.

[@rosemarymills1671]

I love the Kinks, really do. They're endearing and so sweet. thx for sharing.

[@TTM9691]

The interviewer was baiting him; Davies in a couple interviews (years ago) mentioned that he hadn't particularly gotten on well with Lennon. I know they got off on the wrong foot early on when the Kinks had opened for the Beatles and were doing "Long Tall Sally" or one of the other songs that was in the Beatles' set, and Lennon chewed him out for it. Anyways, the interviewer knew exactly what he was doing when he set up that question....a little disingenuous if you ask me. Especially when he tries to steer it back to that. The way Ray handled it was great, you could see he's been asked this before. Go listen to the bootleg of the Kinks on December 9, 1980, he pays tribute to John a couple of times. John also championed "Wonderboy" of all songs, a fact that Davies brings up from time to time, something you get the impression he's proud of. Ray's probably sitting there thinking "Who is this guy, who never even met John, talking to ME who DID, getting off passing judgment on his personality?" I'll accept Ray Davies words about John's personality, not some priggish interviewer.

[@dominiclewington]

It’s the same with the brother comment.

[@andrewharper1609]

I think the press have a tendency to try and stoke non existent conflict for the motive of sales.

[@andymullarx6365]

He was baiting him, I'm surprised Ray didn't lose his cool.

[@barryw2659]

Great take. Couldn't agree more. Few things I dislike more in an interview than an interviewer trying to make his/her take the dominant one in phrasing questions (baiting like you say). Ray shows a lot of patience with this manipulative shyster.

[@eargasm1072]

It seems John's ego was somewhat inflated in the early Beatles days which reflects that comment he made to Ray when touring with the Kinks "If u run out of songs, we can throw you one" or something to that effect...I think by the late 60s his ego had deflated and his attitude more adjusted, as he was more apt to acknowledge and compliment other bands and artists' work

[@stanleykolodziejczyk5627]

I was in New York for Lennon's 'funeral', and what I remember most is several blocks removed average New Yorkers were walking around with glazed eyes. New Yorkers! Going about their business but with moistened faces.

[@grahamkey8496]

I've just discovered this channel - my goodness what a treasure trove of clips you have here. Thanks for sharing them with the world.

[@ScottishTeeVee]

Our pleasure! I hope you find many items of interest on this channel & there's thousands more to come

[@professorjams]

I saw the kinks way back in 70’s .....3rd row.....the brothers were bonding with perfection.

[@katoness]

Love that response about Lennon, "He wasn't a prick".

[@sspbrazil]

It was really diplomatic and Lennon was damaged.

[@KebabMusicLtd]

@@sspbrazil Lennon was the product of a strange duel relationship, his real mother on the one hand and his Aunt on the other. The Aunt being the one who brought him up in an almost strict fashion. There is no doubt Aunt Mimi also had 'hairs and graces' which indirectly influenced the young Lennon. Then in 1958 his mother was tragically killed not far from Mimi's house. Ironically, whilst John was at Paul's house. In Germany his best friend, and possibly his intellectual equal Stuart Sutcliffe died. Within a few years John is thrown into the limelight and too an extent that no 'English' musician had ever been exposed before. I think this made John a little bit reserved about his background, which in an attempt to protect his aunt and the history of his 'unusual' upbringing, he was guarded as to what he said, as he didn't want aspects of that life publicised. He soon realised it was always going to be out of his control. Then in 66' came the furore of the Bigger then Jessie comment which simply made John even more defensive as far as the media was concerned. When he later claimed to hate being a Beatle I am sure he meant it. When he went to live in American he was under pressure of deportation for several years. It was because of his fight to secure the green card that he never came back to England for all those years. Finally, with many of his past ghosts seemingly laid to rest, and with a new album on the charts he was shot dead. I was 19 (21 years his junior) when John was shot and I am now 59 (19 years older than he was), and I realised on the very night he died that had I been given the choice at the outset, to live my own life or swap it for his short 40 years, I would certainly have chosen my own... and I would still make that choice now. Fame seems to be an inescapable goldfish bowl, where everyone else has an opinion on everything you do. Who would want to be that monkey forever dancing to the organ grinder.

[@sspbrazil]

@@KebabMusicLtd I dunno, He left Yoko and Sean with a very good life.

[@bonnerscott5374]

@@sspbrazil I think most of us are.

[@sspbrazil]

@@bonnerscott5374 probably

[@peterjordaan4090]

What a great band. I loved their music from the first song I heard

[@donnawilson8633]

I love his response to the questions. The kinks were a big part of my childhood. The story telling is terrific too.

[@v-town1980]

@Richard B Pompous self-regard? You presumptuous putz.

[@pamelamacneil1331]

@Richard B Agreed!

[@rosemarymills1671]

Love to hear him talk, he holds nothing back and that's great

[@v-town1980]

"...and if he's an asshole in real life, so what...I like the songs." EXACTLY!!!

[@raulmacias1311]

Quote by RAYMOND DOUGLAS DAVIES ~ "We played with the Beatles in Bournemouth and John Lennon made a remark that we were there to warm up for them. [But] we got a great reaction to 'You Really Got Me'! It was an early validation that we had something that stoop up for us, like being bullied in school and having something that was bigger than the bully. It was that kind of feeling."

[@andrewharper1609]

@Donde Merlin In the right circumstances everyone becomes an arsehole. If you add alcohol into the equation it increases the risk. However the bands in the 60's weren't always accepted by their older peers and quite often got called girls for their long hair amongst other things. I don't know the circumstances of Lennon assaulting anyone it's the first time I heard of it. The truth is that anyone can have a bad day and I can only imagine what media harassment does to your state of mind. So personally until I find out more I'm reserving judgement.

[@illmatic9096]

Exactly, i could care less of john lennon personal life but i love his music and love him as an artist. John Lennon was not perfect but who is lol. That interviewer is the one that is a prick

[@raulmacias1311]

@@andrewharper1609 My grievance with John Lennon was that he put himself out there espousing peace, love and unity when he didn't live it in his personal life. Like I've stated before, the saga of John and Yoko was a saga of Adultery, betrayal, disgusting exhibitionism and Heroin addiction! There was nothing romantic in their twisted relationship! As Ray Davies said, John Lennon was a kind of troubled person!

[@IsaacAsimov1992]

@@raulmacias1311 You've put into words what I've often thought. Thanks. :)

[@MrMoonlight414]

I saw the Kinks about '77 when they were the opening act for Heart in Detroit. It was a full house at Cobo Arena in Detroit. They put on a great show and when their set was finished almost the entire arena immediately emptied. Only a few hundred people stayed for the Heart show.

[@stevenlennon12]

thats something id have to see with my own eyes.

[@fairportfan2]

In '78 i saw them at the Fox in Atlanta - both Blondie {a few months before "Heart of Glass" was suddenly all over the radio} and Tom Petty were the opening acts. Later on that tour it was Blondie and the Cars. WIsh i could have seen that show.

[@joekavanagh7171]

The Kinks opening for Heart? The mind boggles!

[@fairportfan2]

@@joekavanagh7171 Seems unlikely to me - they were headlining in Atlanta that year and about to go into their arena rock phase - when their second show at the Brendan Byrne Arena was announced after the first date sold out it sold out in less than an hour - not sure if that was '82 or '83; they played there both years.

[@bradleylist6424]

The show at Cobo Arena April 28, 1977 was local radio station WABX 10th anniversary party. Night City, former Doors Manzarek’s band, opened. Kinks followed, playing over 2 hours to an appreciative audience. Then came Heart, and the crowd had thinned out substantially by the time they hit the stage. I do remember that the Dreamboat Annie ballads were not well received, some boos, to which Ann Wilson responded “so you want to rock and roll!” and let into Crazy on you, Magic Man, and Barracuda. They closed with Zep’s Rock and Roll. Tickets were cheap, we were on the main floor, and the event lasted about 5 hours. Kinks were the heart of the show, for sure! I probably would have left after Kinks, but my ride wanted to stay.

[@Labor_Jones]

Ray, since I was 14 (1967) you have been to me one of the Greatest Writers in the world. .... To me your stories (and they are all stories) are wonders so great in detail that they come alive with their own life. As a kid I've always wanted your ability in Words and Music, but mostly in words and thought if I could combine it with Peter Townsend would ROCK.

[@controloz3310]

A very intelligent man and an extremely good songwriter. I don’t think the word good even does his talent justice. Next tier genius.

[@commanderthorkilj.amundsen3426]

Oh come on! Ray was a talented enough songwriter/musician in the golden era of classic rock, demonstrates he is able to express himself well enough in sentences, but your threshold for “genius” is low, and would be so inclusive due to many as similarly talented as Ray as to lack meaning. He’s a pleasant bloke, has an interesting interpretation of things, but not wholly unique. Of course songs in music, like poetry, speak to people differently, composer, audience, whether temporally or spatially separated, or together, each has an interpretation imbued with emotional attachment and meaning.That said, I’d rather have more Ray Davies around than Cardi b, 2Chainz, or Taylor Swifty....

[@jamessilver6429]

for what it's worth, my 3 fave rock song writers are dylan,chuck berry,and ray davies!​@commanderthorkilj.amundsen3426

[@risahall554]

the genius who is Sir Ray Davies

[@nsilver61]

John Lennon was beyond compare, one of the greatest popular artists of the 20th century. Whether he was liked or not is beside the point, as is professional jealousy.

[@pierremchughes9865]

You are brainwashed by msm. lennon was just a puppet of the Tavistock institute psychological operation called the Beatles. See sage of quay for proof

[@AK-pr2nk]

He wasn't beyond compare as compare to Paul McCartney McCartney was much more successful

[@richardmartin4608]

Lennon was the man. Nobody can deny McCartneys place in the whole scheme of things. Has anybody heard a better riff than Paperback Writer. In my life and No Reply are Lennon tracks I can listen too on a loop. I love the bloke and (even now) can't understand how he left this world.

[@smanticus]

@@pierremchughes9865 lol

[@pierremchughes9865]

@@smanticus I know it's hard to believe that everything you know is a lie . But . Lol = you did zero research

[@sanpatricio822]

This is such a great interview with Ray. Most of the time he is either aloof or goofy to the point of awkwardly derailing the conversation. But he seems to be accessible and direct here. Really great!

[@AshcraftFraming]

He reply to the first question is a perfect answer to the question towards a true artist.

[@johndarne2636]

I love it kinks have such a wide array of music. That English silliness

[@MrC-ov1ht]

I could listen to Ray Davies all day and all of the night

[@xiscogg]

I could listen to him 'til the end of the day

[@wayneelliott7011]

You Really Got Me!

[@jonsmith20766]

I Lol(a) at that!

[@jamesfarina7247]

This was at the time he was doing his book tour on stage. He came to Burlington VT and what an amazing show he put on, playing and reading. Plus he did his research before he got on stage. He started the book reading with "I was born in a small town called Milton" which is a town about 10 miles out of Burlington. The entire audience got such a huge laugh out of it.

[@Johnny-lr5jt]

Ray Davies is possibly responsible for more great rock music than any other single songwriter.

[@leahflower9924]

Probably..ray and Dave inspired a lot of punk too in the early days, I heard Iggy pop johnny thunders and Ramones give kinks credit

[@steadywoodward9390]

Erm Lennon?

[@bloppysloppy4057]

@@leahflower9924 The Sex Pistols and Clash too.

[@el34glo59]

Lol. I love the Kinks but come on

[@fauxbro]

I have tremendous respect for Ray Davies. Truly one of the greatest song smiths the UK ever produced. Lennon could be a prick to people or when talking about them with the putdowns; they were insensitive at times, but it wasn't for sport like it was with the young Bob Dylan. John was able to channel his innermost feelings and the pain of a tough childhood. You could hear it in his voice when he sang. What I loved the most was his fearlessness. Who else of his stature would put out a record with full frontal nudity on the cover?

[@frlango6082]

Bonjour

[@harleybfilms]

i love his honesty what a legend

[@soulagent79]

John Lennon loved the Kinks' song "Wonderboy" and asked the DJ at a London night club to play it over and over again.

[@Supernd01]

Actually it was Waterloo Sunset I believe.

[@jamesfair4315]

I'm so glad that i was able to see this genius in New Jersey during his VH1 Story tellers tour.

[@danwall6662]

Ray Davies is reputed to be a difficult man. Lennon was never a prick, he was complicated and messed up emotionally but this is often the case with artists.

[@js1fairburn]

I love these interviewers back in the day. They just talk normal and have an honest questions.

[@ScottishTeeVee]

SO rare now, these days all interviews seem scripted.

[@xray7908]

Funny that Ray expresses a thought that people do not remember him or think of him fondly. While I was never a huge kinks fan back in the day, I think of him more fondly as a human being and an insightful song writer than anyone I idolized back then. Ray stands out as one of the greatest story tellers and observers of the human condition in his time and culture. Songs I overlooked at the time are some of my favorite songs today. Waterloo Sunset captures the feeling of inner peace that comes with a sense of place and belonging there. Celluloid Heroes reminds us that there's a frail person at the heart of even the most celebrated star, that all our dreams are valid, that we all feel like failures sometimes, but it's okay - we all play a part in our own tragedies and comedies. A Rock and Roll Fantasy speaks to us each of who ever listened to a song for the courage to go on in our loneliness or to celebrate our happiness, and tells to appreciate those of our friends or family members or partners with whom we sometimes become frustrated. It says yes we hurt, but we have to go on for those whose hurting we sooth, and yes we sometimes even hurt each other, but we have to find the courage get through it. It tells us to remember our great times when our bad ones bring us down. John Lennon told us we could change the world, but he also sneered sometimes. Ray told us we could go on, even if we didn't change the world. John was the idealist, Ray was the optimistic realist, he found the humor where he could, and I find his ideas more reassuring and useful in my life. If there was only one rock star I could thank, it would be Ray Davies.

[@sallygomez8799]

I love the Kinks and I LOVE Ray Davies.

[@ScottishTeeVee]

Thanks for watching and commenting Sally

[@abebrown1563]

My 3 favourite albums by the Kinks are, Village green preservation society, Lola versus powerman and the moneygoround and Muswell hillbillies... Classic albums. I was lucky enough to see them 3 times, live... Happy days!

[@shultsy100]

I really like what Ray says about John Lennon to the person interviewing him and correcting him which I thought was appropriate and telling him that whatever names, feelings, negative thoughts we may have toward a certain artist really mean NOTHING and we should simply honor those who's art is bigger than themselves and who's art has changed and inspired people all over the world.

[@ustheserfs]

Anything John Lennon ever did moved me as much as anything Ray did. Waterloo Sunset is the exception to that feeling.

[@keiranbradley3238]

I hold Ray in the same regard as John, both tremendously gifted songwriters/singers. Able to capture emotions in melody and rhyme like very few others. "In my Life" and "Waterloo Sunset" are maybe two of the greatest songs ever recorded?.

[@danwall6662]

Ray Davies is up there with the best. A great song writer.

[@thomaspick4123]

Ray is fantastic. Probably wrote more than 1,000 songs by now. Ray’s words are so clever, the images. His melodies, chords, arrangements, instrumentation. I love Ray’s body of work. Dave is a great guitarist. Invented so many great sounds, I love Dave’s contributions. Yes, I like some of Lennon’s music. I agree with Ray’s insight into Lennon.

[@ScottishTeeVee]

You got me wondering just how many song credits Ray has and I could only find 129, which has to be wrong.

[@denisbrouillard5443]

No big grief at Lennons death? Wow, where the hell was this guy hiding.

[@edwardmulholland7912]

Great interview, Ray is a character - not that far removed from one of his own songs. I bought “Face to Face” on vinyl over a year ago and forgot about it. I put it on last week and was freaked out by how good it is. If anyone has not heard it check out ASAP. It’s their most underrated album.

[@ScottishTeeVee]

Listening to "Face to Face" on headphones via Spotify, as I check emails etc today. I forgot about the ringing phone on the start of Party Line, what a fright I got.

[@michaelmakes4883]

I agree about Face To Face...there are a lot of songs,more than usual for lp's of the time,and a great variety too...all good, nothing to skip over..Village Green & Arthur also tops....and don't forget the Kink Kronikles compilation, because in the period we are talking about,a lot of great material wasn't included on the albums..holy shit,what a body of work

[@thomaspick4123]

I’m just an English boy on a holiday in Waikiki.

[@NondescriptMammal]

And even ten years later, in the late 70s, they put out the Sleepwalker album, which was pretty solid with several great songs

[@edwardmulholland7912]

@@NondescriptMammal I’ll have to check that album out.

[@caveatemp]

The thing about a song becoming the listener's is so true. Even if you write music to another man's lyric you'll get that phenomenon. Ray is the real deal. There's nothing phony in him.

[@alexcika9906]

Damn what a great band , Very Underrated

[@jamesdean8669]

Now THAT was a great interview!

[@ScottishTeeVee]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@arthurshink8825]

Don’t underestimate yourself Ray! He’s a talented dude and things wouldn’t be the same without the Kinks!

[@julenepegher6999]

I’ve loved the Kinks forever! And you Ray, my “Rock and Roll Fantasy”💋🎶

[@ScottishTeeVee]

Thanks for watching and commenting Julene

[@simonjamesyoung8091]

Ray Davies = Class

[@Jakestar105]

It's interesting and nice as well that on this interview Ray didn't bother telling the John Lennon story about the day the Kinks and the Beatles were on the same bill and John Lennon walked out on stage while the Kinks were playing and started fiddling with the knobs on Ray's amplifier. Ray yelled at him to get off. This tells me a lot about John Lennon and about Ray Davies!

[@robertmurphy440]

last gig short notice when he was in states. parmount huntn.N.Y. longisland.great show. .very fan friendly. True legend

[@ScottishTeeVee]

Thanks for watching and commenting Robert🙂

[@russellcampbell9198]

Love Ray. Very thoughtful and nuanced.

[@dreamwell2020]

That exchange at the beginning grapples with the mechanism of music's magic. Why Ray wrote that song and why it became important ot the question poser are only vaguely related - and might have almost nothing to do with why I love that song. Ray is important to both of us, though, because he had what it takes to make art with music. He offered up his song, be we listeners made it a part of our culture.

[@johncrace911]

Ray Davies has written fantastic music, My fav Sunny Afternoon.

[@Henry-W-Schlemmer]

The description under the video says that this interview happened in "Toronto in 1996." If anyone is interested, the name of the interviewer is David Gilmour (born 1949), not to be confused with the Pink Floyd guitarist. The TV network is likely either CBC or TVO (or possibly CITY).

[@MartinReed]

All Things In Moderation Including moderation. Such a wonderful observation. love you ray.

[@007JHS]

When I've written a song and recorded it, and it is played... it becomes your song, how you react to it... Ray Davies, such a nice bloke.

[@fernandovillanueva4952]

There are people who come to Earth to light the roads we are walking here and other roads around them we must check too. Ray Davies is one of them. I'm 71 and I have quite a bunch of his songs engraved deeply somewhere on my mind.

[@IsaacAsimov1992]

@Fernando Villanueva Nice! :)

[@christopher19894]

Damn. He's so honest.

[@Lee-wo3de]

Very noble of Ray not to be cynical but more respectful of Lennon here. 👍

[@BlackRoomProductions]

Thanks STV

[@larryb8022]

The great Kinks❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🏻. I love this song✌🏻✌🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️

[@Nina5144]

Love Ray and The Kinks

[@michaelhamilton7111]

Thanks for the upload, greetings from Costa Rica 😎

[@bartonseagrave9605]

Ray looked at the interviewer , chuckled and thought, you're not right in the head.

[@jimhowie7354]

The stage clip is from his show in the mid 90s where he read excerpts from his memoir and sang the songs that came up accompanied with a guitarist. I saw him in a tiny venue in Scotland on that tour.

[@thegoodsgone1965]

The Kinks were right up there with The Beatles and The Who in my opinion, they were on the same level for me. Ray was one of the best songwriters of the 60s without a doubt.

[@mikeyj.3605]

What level were the Stones on?

[@thegoodsgone1965]

@@mikeyj.3605 Definitely up there as well. The Zombies are another, unique sound.

[@michaelharrington75]

@@thegoodsgone1965 I love the Zombies, but they were nowhere near to reaching the level of the Beatles. Neither were the Stones, Who, or the Kinks. They were all great bands, but not on the level of the Beatles.

[@thegoodsgone1965]

@@michaelharrington75 I personally think they were. "She's Not There" is up there with anything that was released in 1964.

[@michaelharrington75]

@@thegoodsgone1965 Yeah, but that's one song. The Zombies had two top 5 hits in their whole career. Odessey and Oracle is a classic album, and they had several great singles, but saying they are on a level with the Beatles? The Beatles discography is filled with iconic albums, and their singles (which usually were not on those albums) success is unparalleled. The Beatles had 34 top 20 (Billboard hot 100) hits, and 20 of those were number 1. That's in the US alone. Beatles on another level.

[@zukipower9960]

Davies says about Lennon, "he would've been 54 today, today is his birthday." John Lennon was born Oct. 9, 1940. That means this interview was on Oct. 9, 1994 (not 1996 as the video description has).

[@spinynormanbest6410]

You need help

[@IozziEric]

@@spinynormanbest6410 Why? I don't see anything wrong with his comment.

[@dalexwats]

It was 1996. I remember watching it live on TV, and going to see Ray in Toronto at the Danforth Theatre that week in 1996.

[@bonnerscott5374]

Just absolutely awesome songwriting... sometimes I need t a dictionary

[@robertolsen6720]

Inane comment..."There wasn't a huge outpouring of grief when John Lennon died"? Uh, yeah there was.

[@Piggy-Oink-Oink]

Yeah thousands of people went to the Dakota holding candles, crying and singing Lennon songs. They sure did have a huge outpouring. What is he talking about.

[@dannydorko7075]

I don't understanding how anybody can be that fucking stupid

[@lewisc215]

Really. Some interviewers are just fools.

[@slide4180]

It's not clear exactly what he says. If the guy had really said 'not,' Davies would have corrected him IMO.

[@alexgrantham4747]

"I'm wondering why sometimes if that's not why there wasn't that huge outpouring of grief" it's a jumbled up sentence messing up tense, but I believe he was trying to suggest there was indeed a huge outpouring of grief. Just poorly worded.

[@lensosa9828]

I had the privilege of seeing Dave Davies in his only appearance in the USA in 2004 he got contracted by a Chicago DJ to play it in his wedding and then they went to a place called The Abbey where I seen them great show

[@robhaskins]

Ray Davies is too modest. People remember him and will continue to.

[@glowaves]

Interesting interview-thanks for sharing this.

[@ScottishTeeVee]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@user-qm7nw7vd5s]

Nice interview from Ray, despite the moronic questions. Why does the interviewer feel a need to call John Lennon a “prick”? Someone he never even met. Classy how Ray does not take the bait… 👍

[@NxDoyle]

It's true that John Lennon sits higher than Ray Davies in the popular music pantheon. John was a Beatle, for God's sake. That alone puts him in the most rarefied air. But Mr Davies should not mistake that for the misplaced notion that people _only_ remember his songs. He is 100% remembered as the composer/performer of some truly great music. I mean, Waterloo Sunset? Village Green? You Really Got Me? And my absolute favourite, Strangers? Holy shit, people would kill to write one of those songs half as well.

[@thekitowl]

You’ve confirmed what Ray thinks , it’s the compositions people remember not the man. Every interview I’ve seen of the band they do not come across as likeable ( neither did the who ) and thats what they have to live with . The reputation for not turning up for gigs & the in fighting ( not to mention getting banned from America) hasn’t endeared their image in the long run. I love their music but never cared for the band & Ray’s continued rant about Jimmy Page after all these years is ridiculous. If Lennon or McCartney sit higher than Ray it’s because they appealed to a much broader audience & were extremely likeable.

[@Neal_Schier]

​@@thekitowl I haven't run across Ray dissing Jimmy Page. What's the background to that? Was it an open confrontation?

[@thekitowl]

@@Neal_Schier this goes back to when you really got me came out. It got into the papers that Jimmy was at the session ( which he was ) and it was presumed Jimmy played the guitar solo ( which he didn’t ) Ray claims Jimmy pulled a face when Dave was playing that solo & has bad mouthed page ever since.

[@douglasspalding9609]

Strangers is Dave's song.

[@Neal_Schier]

@@thekitowl Ah. Thank you!

[@lewisc215]

He wrote wonderful songs.

[@thomastraynor9299]

Ray. Never let the spotlight go to his head. A really down to earth normal genius. Anne T

[@adamfindlay7091]

Ray is very wise and thoughtful about the subject.

[@Jhensy2012]

Something amazing about a rock star from the old days that never smoked. I can't think of another... anyone else?

[@ACNC1]

cliff richard

[@christopherstarr8050]

@@ACNC1 Roger Daltry maybe .

[@davidmuzik1424]

Did mick jagger smoke.?

[@mjk45]

@@davidmuzik1424 yes he did

[@dwaynesbadchemicals]

Awesome catching this guy sober.

[@joecalandrella3330]

Brilliant reference (Switzerland-Cuckoo clock) to one of the greatest movies- The Third Man -the soundtrack of which is stellar as well!

[@petermarksteiner7754]

Only cuckoo clocks originate from Germany and are a speciality of the Black Forest region. So you might say, what did Switzerland achieve - not even the cuckoo clock!

[@Dr3amtime]

Yep, the offhand reference to that scene in a rock interview took me by surprise.

[@IsaacAsimov1992]

@@petermarksteiner7754 Yeah? How about Albert Einstein's formative education followed up with his Special and General Theories of Relativity, Leonard Euler (one of the greatest mathematicians of all-time), Roger Federer, precision tools (incl' timepieces), the world's best train system. + much more.

[@timmytimkins4379]

I really like Ray Davies.

[@ScottishTeeVee]

Hope you enjoy this

[@martyc2637]

The hard rock edge of The Kinks on Hullabaloo and Shindig shaped my musical taste.

[@cityzen2717]

The Kinks were my fav British Invasion band; YOU REALLY GOT ME made me feel someone out there was related to me hormonally. Also, Dave and I are the same age.

[@ScottishTeeVee]

Nice to see more mature viewers here, thanks for commenting

[@julianbates2040]

People who knew John Lennon loved him for his warts and all! John was a mixed-up guy who did a lot of work on himself, who as very honest and quite fiery in some ways

[@markusantonio4866]

Thanks for clarifying that.

[@resofactor]

Great interview.

[@BadfingerBoogieBarb]

What people who knew John Lennon have said he was a "prick"?!? I've never heard anyone who knew him suggest that. The only people I hear who suggest such a thing are people who didn't know him.

[@RO8s]

"Ringo Starr the best drummer in the world? He's not even the best drummer in the Beatles..." That's a prick.

[@BadfingerBoogieBarb]

@@RO8s And you are a moron. Lennon never said that. But thanks for proving my point.

[@RO8s]

@@BadfingerBoogieBarb Turns out you're quite right. I've never researched it before. But it does sound like him. After all he certainly wrote "How do you sleep" which was a direct attack on Paul.

[@BadfingerBoogieBarb]

@@RO8s “How Do You Sleep” was in response to several digs Paul made at John on the Ram album. But keep proving my point.

[@thekitowl]

@@RO8s that quote comes from a Jasper Carrot sketch, nothing to do with John . Ringo has a postcard from John calling him the best Rock & Roll Drummer in the world, so we know how John really felt about this.